The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c15.s2.28

c15.s2.28

The unequivocal enunciation of the doctrine of resistance, i. e. of the rights of the *prakriti* as against the "demon" in human form is as manifest in Śukra as in Manu. Quite in keeping with the spirit of the *Mahâbhârata* Śukra gives the verdict that the people should "desert the tyrant as the ruiner of the state".³ The "alienation from the subjects"⁴ because of "repression" leads ultimately to his ruin.⁴ The "discontent" may assume larger proportions and "destroy the monarch with his whole family".⁵ The overthrow and execution of Vena and Nahûṣa, the tyrants of Hindu legends, are therefore justified as a matter of course.⁶ Only, the *Śukra-nîti* and the *Manu Samhitâ* are not explicit as to the methods of doing away with tyrants, if, for instance, as approved in England by the author of the *Policraticus*, the "poisoning" of a Tiberius could be resorted to by the people.⁷